The Claim
Consuming 15.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of carbohydrates for 2 days in elite male racewalkers is associated with gastrointestinal discomfort and is perceived as unrealistic for race conditions, despite increasing glycogen stores.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Elite male racewalkers who consumed 15.9 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day for two days experienced stomach discomfort and found the regimen impractical for racing, even though their muscle glycogen levels increased.
See the scientific wording
In an elite male racewalker, consuming 15.9 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of carbohydrates for 2 days led to reported stomach discomfort and was subjectively deemed unrealistic for actual race conditions, suggesting that extreme carbohydrate loading may compromise gastrointestinal tolerance despite increasing glycogen stores.
Eating a huge amount of carbs in a short time floods the gut with sugar, pulling water into the intestines and slowing down digestion. This stretches the stomach and causes discomfort. At the same time, the body stores the extra sugar as glycogen in muscles, and each gram of glycogen traps several grams of water, making muscles swell and increasing overall body weight.
What the research says
1 studyAn elite racewalker ate a huge amount of carbs for two days, which filled his muscles with more energy, but made his stomach feel awful — so he decided he couldn’t use that much in a real race. The study confirms the claim.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.